Dallas Free Press

09/29/2025

After 19 years as the City of Dallas' housing director, Cynthia Rogers-Ellickson is retiring in November. Though she rarely gives media interviews, she agreed to meet us at the West Dallas Multipurpose Center to reflect on her life, her upbringing in West Dallas, and her legacy in shaping Dallas’ housing.

We reached out to Rogers-Ellickson specifically because of her West Dallas roots. After covering the programs she oversees from neighbors’ perspectives, we wanted to hear from a neighborhood native about how her background has impacted her approach to this work for the last two decades.

Read the Q&A and watch the interview here: https://dallasfreepress.com/west-dallas/dallas-housing-cynthia-rogers-ellickson/

📝 Jennie Trejo 🎥 Camilo Diaz Jr.

09/26/2025

West Dallas native, current resident and community pastor James Armstrong is leaving the nonprofit Builders of Hope Community Development Corporation, which he has helmed for nearly eight years, to lead the City of Dallas Housing and Homeless division as deputy director.

"Eight years ago, I noticed many broken walls in my community of West Dallas and felt compelled to act," Armstrong said in Builders of Hope's announcement.

He starts the new job Oct. 15, and the Builders of Hope board has named an interim successor. Go to the comments for their and the City's official announcements.

A new chapter begins at Builders of Hope CDC.
After nearly 8 years of transformative leadership, our President and CEO James Armstrong will step down this October to take on a senior housing leadership role with the City of Dallas.

We are proud to celebrate James' legacy:

- $25M in housing development
- $3M in equity for families, and
- a movement rooted in community.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to announce that Christopher Lewis will serve as Interim President and CEO starting October 15. Chris, a Navy veteran and longtime Dallas leader, has helped grow our housing pipeline and advance our mission with integrity, care, and impact.

Chris will be supported by our Chief of Community Development & Policy Stephanie Champion and our strong board leadership to ensure Builders of Hope remains mission-driven, community-first, and ready for what’s next.

Read the full update and explore what’s ahead: https://www.bohcdc.com/blog/builders-of-hope-cdc-announces-ceo-transition-names-interim-leadership

09/25/2025

What would you ask the three new arts leaders of South Dallas, if you had them in a room together?

It’s actually happening tomorrow. Dallas Free Press sits down with brown ross of the , of , and VanAnthony Williams of the . We’re bringing these new leaders together to talk about the future of arts and culture in South Dallas, and their vision for their respective organizations and the collective neighborhood.

Comment with your questions 👇, and we’ll include as many as we can in our roundtable interview.

09/25/2025

From Ledbetter to City Hall: Cynthia Rogers-Ellickson on shaping Dallas’ housing
✍ Jennie Trejo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nFnwSpwMNQ Video by Camilo Diaz Jr. Cynthia Rogers-Ellickson does not give media interviews. Known for keeping a low profile, the City of Dallas’ director of housing and community development is protective of both the City and her work. But with her

09/24/2025

Join our effort to keep Dallas residents informed by becoming a Documenter! Be a set of eyes and ears in public meetings to keep residents aware about the City’s discussions and decisions — while getting paid! 😤

Sign up for the virtual, paid training and orientation this Saturday: https://tinyurl.com/55zxzbu8
**You must complete the entire training to receive payment.

📆 - Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025
💻 - Zoom Meeting (register for access)
⏰ - 10 AM

09/23/2025

The right development, Hank Lawson says, will be a catalyst, attracting more growth and prompting the resurgence of local businesses and the hyperlocal economy. It would light up dark corners that allow crime to thrive and draw municipal attention to a neighborhood whose needs have been ignored for too long.

So three years ago, fed up with all the money and attention allotted to the MLK Corridor that hadn’t benefitted surrounding residents, Lawson formed the Pointe South Revitalization Committee, a group dedicated to turning things around.

🔗 Check out the full story: https://tinyurl.com/2scunmdd

📝: Christina Hughes Babb
📸: Camilo Diaz Jr.

09/19/2025

The power brokers: Black leaders and landowners hold the bargaining chips in future MLK Corridor development
✍ Christina Hughes Babb

Long overlooked and plagued by safety concerns, the MLK DART Station has seen little of the investment poured into nearby Fair Park. Now, three commercial property owners — two Black, all local families — control 27 acres around the station. They have benefitted from a grassroots business coalit...

09/19/2025

South Dallas community leader Hank Lawson says three MLK corridor owners “hold exceptional power” in future Fair Park real estate development — especially if they stick together.

The three commercial property owners — two Black, all local families — control 27 acres around the MLK DART station. They have benefitted from a grassroots business coalition led by Lawson, who believes the right development could spark the resurgence of other local businesses and draw municipal attention to a neighborhood whose needs have been ignored for too long.

🔗 Check out the full story: https://tinyurl.com/2scunmdd

📝: Christina Hughes Babb 📸: Camilo Diaz Jr.

09/18/2025

One match down, one to go! 🙌

Thanks to our wonderful community of supporters, $5,000 in matching funds has already been unlocked in support of Dallas Free Press this North Texas Giving Day. Now, we’re just over $1,000 away from maxing out our second $5,000 match!

Every donation right now is DOUBLED to fuel visual journalism — videos that make confusing ballot language clear, graphics that break down complex civic processes, and photos that capture the celebrations and challenges of South Dallas and West Dallas. This work ensures neighbors don’t just hear the news — they understand it, use it, share it, and see their communities reflected in it.

Will you support this important work today and help us cross the finish line?

💙💚 Donate now: www.northtexasgivingday.org/dallasfreepress

09/17/2025

Fair Park is now operated by the City of Dallas. Will this change benefit the neighborhood it's a part of?

Community leader Zach Thompson said the previous operator, Fair Park First, did not do enough for South Dallas. During an August Park and Recreation Board meeting, he urged the board to connect minority businesses to upcoming Fair Park events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Video by Dallas Documenter Morris Carlos Manuel

09/15/2025

From zoning cases to city budgets, Dallas Documenters make local government visible.

Dallas Free Press is proud to be the home of Dallas Documenters, and we train and pay neighbors to attend public meetings and take notes, creating a people-powered, community-owned record that holds leaders accountable and connects communities to the decisions shaping their lives.

This Democracy Day, your support keeps Documenters on duty and goes 3x as far, thanks to two matches:
✨ $5,000 from the Documenters Network + NewsMatch
✨ $5,000 from the Communities Foundation of Texas + The Dallas Foundation

Together, we can unlock $10,000 to keep Documenters on duty — ensuring Dallas stays informed, engaged, and connected.

Give today: www.northtexasgivingday.org/donate/dallasfreepress